New ‘uncommon’ aspect impact of weight-loss medication changing into extra frequent, analysis suggests

[ad_1] A brand new “uncommon” aspect impact of weight-loss medication is changing into extra frequent, analysis has prompt.

Weight-loss medication similar to Ozempic and Wegovy have soared in recognition. About one in eight U.S. adults mentioned they’ve taken a GLP-1 drug, used to deal with kind 2 diabetes and weight problems, in response to a Kaiser Household Basis ballot revealed in Might 2024.

However like with some other medication, there are unwanted effects, together with a newly discovered one that would intrude with medical imaging.

Researchers from Alliance Medical, a European imaging service supplier, reviewed oncologic FDG PET-CT scans in sufferers taking GLP-1 medication.

<img alt="One in eight U.S. adults said they have taken a GLP-1 drug, such as Ozempic, to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity (Sebastien Bozon/AFP via Getty)" loading="lazy" width="960" height="640" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" class="rounded-lg" style="color:transparent" src="https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/lN_U6r9MIf4NrgyjzavXqA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MDtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/the_independent_635/b3dc3259f6c48e47df95dc52346dcaec"/> One in eight U.S. adults mentioned they've taken a GLP-1 drug, similar to Ozempic, to deal with kind 2 diabetes and weight problems (Sebastien Bozon/AFP through Getty)

With an FDG PET scan, a affected person will get an IV injection of a radiotracer known as fluorodeoxyglucose. Diseased cells within the affected person’s physique take in extra of the radiotracer than wholesome ones do, and the PET scanner detects these “scorching spots”, in response to the Cleveland Clinic. Healthcare suppliers could carry out a PET scan and a CT scan, which makes use of X-rays, on the identical time to supply extra correct 3D photos.

Alliance Medical researchers discovered a number of irregular patterns of FDG uptake in sufferers taking GLP-1 medication, in response to a September presentation on the Annual Congress of the European Affiliation of Nuclear Drugs. These irregular patterns might be misinterpreted by medical doctors if a affected person’s remedy historical past isn't thought of.

“We seen uncommon uptake in certainly one of our sufferers on a GLP-1 agonist, which prompted a wider evaluate throughout our community,” lead writer Dr. Peter Strouhal, Medical Director at Alliance Medical, mentioned in a press release revealed by the American Affiliation for the Development of Science.

“We discovered that these altered patterns are more and more frequent, but there's at present no nationwide or worldwide steerage within the UK addressing this rising subject.”

<img alt="GLP-1 drugs may interfere with medical imaging, leading to unnecessary tests, researchers have found (Scott Olson/Getty)" loading="lazy" width="960" height="639" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" class="rounded-lg" style="color:transparent" src="https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/dfP1i43RLSVrxTKX4jCaTQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYzOTtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/the_independent_635/f63acb84d8ebca07ff32f67ab99c327c"/> GLP-1 medication could intrude with medical imaging, resulting in pointless assessments, researchers have discovered (Scott Olson/Getty)

If sufferers’ scans are misinterpreted, it will probably result in pointless assessments, incorrect most cancers staging and delays in remedy.

“Recognizing the attribute uptake related to GLP-1 agonists helps keep away from pointless nervousness and interventions, guaranteeing sufferers obtain the proper care, on the proper time, with out detours or doubt,” Dr. Strouhal added.